Camera – A GOOD CAMERA with a quality lens, video recording at 320×240 or preferably 640×480 (VGA) at 30fps at a good quality (noise, contrast, colors, etc) even under low lighting. Zoom and auto focus a bonus. Front camera – bonus.

Low latency for getting the the camera image to the CPU/GPU and in turn to the display

Zero-latency video output from the device for a head-worn display (digital or analog)

Low-latency inputs for external sensors (such as a tracker on the head-worn display) and cameras (on the head-worn display).

GOOD graphics drivers, Open GL 2.0 (unlike the current Intel OpenGL drivers on Atom which are almost a show stopper for many projects…)

OS – The best Mobile Linux out there, with C/C++ based SDK and a good emulator. Also as an alternative: Win Mobile support (better dev tools)

Buttons – Very few. QWERTY keyboard is a nice to have.

Connectivity – 3G/GSM, WIFI, Bluetooth

Sensors – A-GPS, accelerometer, 3DOF Gyro sensors

3-axis compass

Storage – 8G and expandable

Memory – 1G RAM

Battery – Min. 3 hours while in full use of camera and network

Extensibility – video out for an HMD, USB port on it.

Openness – open source…

So what do you think?

This spec was actually a swift response to a challenge presented by Intel’s Ashley McCorkle.

Many thanks for the contribution by Daniel-Good camera!-Wagner, Steven-don’t forget latency!-Feiner , Bruce-a couple of extras-Thomas, and Charles-Very bright screen-Woodward.

In ISMAR 2009 in Orlando, we are planning to organize a round table discussion for this very purpose. Would you be interested in participating?

***update***

The experts and enthusiasts are weighing in, and as it usually is in reality (as opposed to dreams) remind us that we need to consider trade-offs.

Charles for example says he would trade off battery time for a lighter device. He also suggests that for professional use – a higher price ($1000 range) for a higher quality device would be reasonable.

I think one high res-camera that can be flipped is, on the whole, better then two.
(as its likely if your only putting one on the system you can get a better one for the same price, verse a DSi style two of them).

“Battery life at 6+ hours. Three won’t cut it if we want to get away from cute AR applications and start doing some real practical stuff.”